"We need to pass the bill, to see what's in it" – Nancy Pelosi

Second Amendment

“A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.”

Whenever there is a tragic incident of a mass shooting in our nation, this amendment usually ends up called into question.

This one has two parts:

“A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free State” – State referring to our nation, and our militia referring to our military.

“the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed” – This one powerful phrase is what essentially gives you the right to own a firearm, with or without a license or permit.

Some things to note:

Unlike driver’s licenses, gun permits vary by state and the acceptance is determined by the state you’re in. Not all states recognize all states’ gun permits or licenses. Every state’s constitution sets the laws that state who can carry, where they can carry, and what type of weapons they may carry. LTCs and CCW permits are issued by either your town of residence or your county; check with them for specific laws. The Second Amendment gives you the blanket right to carry, but your state’s constitution should be the authority you refer to.

If you enter an establishment that has a sign that states clearly that weapons are not allowed on the premises; you’re not breaking any laws, but the owner of the establishment can ask you to leave the premises; many gun owners comply quickly and refuse to re-patronize until they are allowed to carry. If you break it down to semantics: By entering a ‘no-gun zone’, you are waiving your right to carry for your own protection.

Despite the second part of the amendment, you are subject to a criminal background check prior to even purchasing a weapon or applying for a LTC or CCW permit. If you have ever been institutionalized or if you have been to jail, you stand the chance of being denied for a weapons purchase.

Refer to this page, if you are flying with your weapons. This is only a guide to your 2nd Amendment rights, it’s not a full law guide to firearms. Upon skimming, it seems that as long as it’s unloaded and declared, traveling with it shouldn’t be a problem.

Gun ownership and safety, despite it being a right, is also a serious responsibility:

If you are out with friends and family and a situation arises, it could be your precise judgement and training that thwarts a situation. While it is nice to be a hero, put yourself in the mindset of a police officer. Most conservatives would argue that the ability to protect yourself and ‘your fellow man’ is always better than having to rely on someone else.

There are many folks that find gun usage to be very therapeutic and good for mental clarity and focus.

More often than not, if you are in your house or car and you have to use lethal force to defend yourself, try to keep a focus; you will most likely have to justify to a police officer or detective that your life was in jeopardy and that lethal force was necessary.

Even though it’s a serious responsibility, it is rare to hear of shooting sprees and mass murders/homicides in an area where people are carrying a concealed weapon. Sure it can happen, but the odds are that someone will draw their weapon and take out the shooter before it gets nasty.

If any part of your moral compass or psyche is every apprehensive about the possibility of taking a life, consider not purchasing a gun.

Just remember that when any administration threatens to make cuts to our military, not to pay them, or cut their benefits, that our military is authorized by the constitution.